South Whidbey
Island lies within the boundaries of the South Whidbey School District and includes the
incorporated City of Langley (population 1090) and the unincorporated towns of Clinton and
Freeland. Clinton, near the south end of the island is the terminus of the
Clinton-Mukliteo ferry. In 1996, 4.2 million passengers and 2.6 million cars passed
through Clinton, the gateway from the mainland to Whidbey Island and the Olympic
Peninsula. Many residents of South Whidbey commute to work on the mainland, many to the
Boeing plant in Everett.
The population of South Whidbey, approximately 15,700 people, depicted
in the following population profile has a slight population "bulge" in the
child-bearing years, and a corresponding bulge in the number of young children. A large
portion of the population is over age 40.
The 1996 Behavioral Risk Factor Survey of Island County adults included
over 100 residents of South Whidbey. The following characteristics identified in the
survey are unique to South Whidbey:
Residents were asked if they were covered with health insurance, and if
not, how long they had been without coverage. Residents of South Whidbey were more likely
(19%) to lack health care coverage than residents of the rest of the county (4%).
South Whidbey residents were more likely (13%) than other island
residents (5%) to say that in the past 12 months they needed to see a doctor, but could
not do so because of the cost.
Residents were asked how long it had been since they last visited a
doctor for a routine checkup. South Whidbey residents were more likely (38%) not to have
received a checkup in the past year than other county residents (26%).
Residents were asked whether they go to one particular doctor’s
office, health facility or clinic when needing health care or advice, and if so, what type
of facility it is. South Whidbey residents were more likely (21%) to say they do not have
a place of care than other county residents (9%).
Women were told that a pap smear is a test for cancer of the cervix, and
were asked when they last received one. Women from South Whidbey (without hysterectomies)
were more likely(15%) to report going more than three years without a pap smear than women
from the rest of the county (6%).
Residents were asked if they engaged in any physical activity in the
previous month. Residents of South Whidbey were more likely to report (45%) engaging in
regular and sustained activity in the last month than residents of the rest of the county
(33%).
Residents were read a list of environmental factors and were asked if
any might be affecting their health. North and South Whidbey residents were more likely
(9%) to see food safety as a problem than residents of Central Whidbey and Camano Island
(3%).
Drinking Water
Like Central Whidbey and Camano Island, all of South Whidbey residents
are dependent on ground water for their source of drinking water. The majority of
residents receive water service from public water systems while a minority are served by
individual wells. With the exception of the Bush Point area, salt water intrusion is not
prevalent on South Whidbey. |